Tillage Implement

ABSTRACT

A tillage implement has a main frame towed in a forward working direction and toolbar assemblies supported on the main frame. Each assembly has an elongate toolbar member transverse to the forward working direction with tillage units spaced along the toolbar member for working the ground. A pivot supports each toolbar at an intermediate location on the toolbar for angular adjustment about an upright axis relative to the main frame. Followers at opposing ends of each toolbar member are received in respective guides at fixed locations on the main frame such that the followers are slidable within the guides in the forward working direction while restricting rotation of the toolbar member about a longitudinal axis of the toolbar member relative to the main frame. Angular position of each toolbar is controlled by an actuator with an attached mechanical indicator that can be read by an operator.

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/210,711, filed Dec. 5, 2018, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/686,972, filed Jun.19, 2018.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tillage implement comprising a framewhich supports a plurality of toolbar assemblies, each having coulterdisk tillage units supported on a toolbar member in which the toolbarmember is angularly adjustable relative to the frame about an uprightaxis of a pivot assembly coupled to an intermediate location along thetoolbar member.

BACKGROUND

One known construction of coulter disk vertical tillage implementshaving toolbar devices which are angularly adjustable relative to aforward working direction comprises U.S. Pat. No. 8,746,361 by GreatPlains Manufacturing, Inc. Each toolbar is supported on the implementframe for pivotal adjustment about a vertical pivot axis at anintermediate location offset towards one side of the toolbar requiringadditional support for the toolbar using guide plates in sliding contactat an intermediate location along the toolbar spaced from the pivotaxis. The pivot and guide plate configuration provide limited supportagainst torsional deflection of the toolbar however.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a tillageimplement comprising:

a main frame supported for movement across the ground in a forwardworking direction;

a hitch connected to the main frame and arranged for connection to atowing vehicle to displace the main frame in the forward workingdirection with the towing vehicle;

a plurality of toolbar assemblies supported on the main frame, eachtoolbar assembly comprising:

-   -   a toolbar member which is elongate in a longitudinal direction        between opposing ends of the toolbar member and which is        oriented transversely to the forward working direction;    -   a plurality of tillage units spaced along the toolbar member        having respective coulter disks supported thereon for engaging        and working the ground;    -   a pivot assembly pivotally coupling the toolbar member on the        main frame such that the toolbar member is pivotal relative to        the main frame about an upright pivot axis located at an        intermediate location spaced inwardly from each of the opposing        ends;    -   two followers on the toolbar member in proximity to the opposing        ends of the toolbar member respectively, each follower member        having an upper follower surface and a lower follower surface        which are parallel and spaced apart from one another and which        define a thickness of the followers; and    -   two guides at fixed locations on the main frame for receiving        the two follower members therein as the toolbar member is        pivotally displaced about the upright pivot axis of the pivot        assembly, each guide comprising an upper guide surface and a        lower guide surface which are flat and parallel to one another        and which are spaced apart from one another by a distance        corresponding to the thickness of the followers such that the        followers are slidable within the guides generally in the        forward working direction while restricting rotation of the        toolbar member about a longitudinal axis of the toolbar member        relative to the main frame.

Use of a follower slidably received within a corresponding guide at bothends of a toolbar which is supported on an intermediate pivot assemblyallows to toolbar member to be readily adjusted in angular orientationwhile providing resistance against torsional deflection of the toolbarmember by the support at the opposing ends.

The pivot assembly of each toolbar assembly is preferably centrallylocated along a length of the toolbar member between the opposing endsthereof.

Each toolbar assembly may further comprise a linear hydraulic actuatoroperatively connected between the toolbar member and the main frame suchthat extension and retraction of the actuator varies the angularorientation of the toolbar member relative to the main frame, in whichthe actuator is pivotally coupled to the toolbar member at a locationwhich is offset towards a first one of the opposing ends of the toolbarmember.

Each toolbar assembly may further comprise a plurality of pin apertureson the toolbar member and the main frame so as to be adapted to receivea pin member through a cooperating pair of the pin apertures so as toselectively retain the toolbar member in fixed relation to the mainframe at a prescribed angular orientation associated with thecooperating pair. The pin apertures may be located on the one of theguides and on one of the followers of each toolbar assembly.

The upright pivot axis of the pivot assembly of each toolbar assembly ispreferably spaced rearwardly of the toolbar member.

The followers of each toolbar assembly may be supported on the toolbarmember using threaded fasteners.

The toolbar member of each toolbar assembly preferably comprises anelongate, rigid beam spanning between the opposing ends of the toolbarmember in which the upper follower surface and the lower followersurface of the followers of each toolbar assembly are wider in theforward working direction than the rigid beam of the toolbar member.

When the toolbar member of each toolbar assembly comprises an elongate,rigid beam spanning between the opposing ends of the toolbar member, theupper follower surface and the lower follower surface of the followersof each toolbar assembly may be vertically spaced from the rigid beam.Preferably the upper follower surface and the lower follower surface ofthe followers of each toolbar assembly are both spaced above the rigidbeam of the toolbar member.

The implement may further comprises (i) a linear hydraulic actuatorassociated with each toolbar assembly in which the actuator isoperatively connected between the toolbar member and the main frame suchthat extension and retraction of a piston portion relative to a cylinderportion of the actuator varies the angular orientation of the toolbarmember relative to the main frame, and (ii) a gauge assembly associatedwith each toolbar assembly in which the gauge assembly comprises (a) agauge panel supported on one of the piston portion or the cylinderportion of the actuator, the gauge panel having an indicator edge whichlies in a common upright plane with a linear axis of the actuator at anacute slope relative to the linear axis, and (b) an indicator membersupported on another one of the piston portion or the cylinder portionof the actuator, the indicator member being elongate and being orientedto extend radially outwardly from the linear axis in close proximity tothe indicator edge so as to be in an intersecting relationship with theindicator edge, in which the gauge panel is positioned such that theintersection of the indicator edge varies in location along theindicator member as the actuator is extended and retracted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provideda tillage implement comprising:

a main frame supported for movement across the ground in a forwardworking direction;

a hitch connected to the main frame and arranged for connection to atowing vehicle to displace the main frame in the forward workingdirection with the towing vehicle;

a toolbar member supported on the main frame which is elongate in alongitudinal direction between opposing ends and which is orientedtransversely to the forward working direction;

an angular adjustment mechanism supporting the toolbar member on themain frame such that an angular orientation of the toolbar memberrelative to the forward working direction of the main frame isadjustable;

a plurality of tillage units spaced along the toolbar member and havingrespective coulter disks supported thereon for engaging and working theground, the tillage units being movable with the toolbar member forangular adjustment relative to the main frame;

a linear hydraulic actuator operatively connected between the toolbarmember and the main frame such that extension and retraction of a pistonportion relative to a cylinder portion of the actuator varies theangular orientation of the toolbar member relative to the main frame;and

a gauge assembly comprising:

-   -   a gauge panel supported on one of the piston portion or the        cylinder portion of the actuator, the gauge panel having an        indicator edge which lies in a common upright plane with a        linear axis of the actuator at an acute slope relative to the        linear axis; and    -   an indicator member supported on another one of the piston        portion or the cylinder portion of the actuator, the indicator        member being elongate and being oriented to extend radially        outwardly from the linear axis in close proximity to the        indicator edge so as to be in an intersecting relationship with        the indicator edge;    -   the gauge panel being positioned such that the intersection of        the indicator edge varies in location along the indicator member        as the actuator is extended and retracted.

The gauge assembly provides direct visual feedback to an operator toreadily determine the angular position of the toolbars using a simplemechanism.

Preferably the indicator member is vertically oriented.

The indicator edge may be sloped upward and rearwardly at an inclinationof 30-60 degrees.

The indicator edge may comprise one boundary edge of an elongate slotformed in the gauge panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the tillage implement according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the right center section of the mainframe of the implement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partly exploded perspective view of the right center sectionof the main frame of the implement according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the right center section of themain frame of the implement showing a bottom side;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a right wing section of the main frameof the implement illustrating a gauge assembly supported thereon;

FIG. 6 is a partly exploded perspective view of the right wing sectionof the main frame of the implement according to FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the gauge assembly;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one of the toolbar members;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the toolbar member of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the toolbar member of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of the toolbar member of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the one of the followers received withinthe respective guide on the main frame.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the accompanying figures, there is illustrated a tillageimplement generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The implement 10is suited for being towed by a tractor in a forward working direction 11for working the ground, for example as in vertical tillage.

The implement includes a main frame 12 having a hitch portion 13protruding forwardly from the frame for connection to a towing vehiclesuch as an agricultural tractor to displace the main frame in theforward working direction with the towing vehicle.

The main frame 12 includes a center section comprised of a left centersection 14 and a right center section 16 joined so as to be fixed to oneanother. The frame also includes two wing sections 18 coupled alongopposing sides of the center section so as to be coupled to the left andright center sections respectively. Each wing section 18 is pivotalrelative to the respective one of the center sections about a respectivefold axis oriented generally in the forward working direction.

Each of the left section, the right section and the two wing sections 18comprises a front beam 20 perpendicular to the forward direction, a rearbeam 22 spaced rearward of the front beam arid two side beams 24extending in the forward direction along opposing sides of the sectionbetween the rear beam and the front beam, such that the frame members ofeach section are in a rectangular configuration lying generally in ahorizontal plane. Each section further comprises an intermediate beam 26spanning between the two side beams parallel to the front and rear beamat an intermediate location spaced from both the front and rear beams.

In a field working position all of the frame members of the sections liein a generally common horizontal plane with the front beams aligned withone another to form a common front end of the main frame while the rearbeams are similarly all aligned along the rear end of the main frame.For transport, the two wing sections are folded upwardly and inwardlyovertop the left and right sections of the center section respectivelyinto a folded transport position.

Each of the left, right and two wing sections further comprises at leastone wheel assembly 28 supported on the intermediate beam thereof. Eachwheel assembly includes a leg 29 pivotal about a horizontal axis in alateral direction oriented perpendicularly to the forward workingdirection. Each leg is pivoted at a forward upper end to the respectiveintermediate beam to extend generally downward and rearward to a bottomend. The bottom ends of the legs support respective wheels thereon forrolling movement in the forward working direction.

A hydraulic actuator 30 is associated with each wheel assembly and isconnected between the leg 29 and the intermediate beam such thatextension and retraction of the hydraulic actuator causes the wheels ofthe wheel assembly to be raised and lowered relative to the framesections. By raising the wheels relative to the frame, the frame can betowed across the field in a working configuration so that the tillagetools carried on the implement engage the ground for working the ground.Alternatively, by lowering the wheels relative to the frame, the frameis raised so that the tillage tools are spaced above the ground and theframe is carried solely on the wheels of the wheel assemblies fortransport in a transport position. The wheels of the center sectionsremain lowered for supporting the implement thereon in the transportposition when the wings are folded up.

Each of the sections of the main frame supports a plurality of toolbarassemblies 34 thereon. Each toolbar assembly comprises a rigid tubularbeam defining a toolbar member 33 of generally rectangular cross sectionwhich supports a plurality of tillage units 35 at spaced positionstherealong. Each of the left section 14, the right section 16, and thetwo wing sections 18 support one toolbar assembly adjacent the forwardend thereof and one toolbar assembly adjacent the rearward end thereofwith an equal number of tillage units on the front and rear toolbarassemblies within each section of the main frame. The toolbar member ofeach toolbar assembly is angularly adjustable relative to the forwardworking direction by arranging the toolbar members for pivotal movementrelative to respective upright axes as described in further detailbelow.

Each tillage unit comprises a trailing arm 72 extending generallydownward and rearward at an inclination to extend outwardly towards atrailing end 74, A downward biasing force provided by a spring memberdefining a biasing member biases the trailing arm downward into aworking position while allowing the trailing arm to be pivoted upwardlyat the rear end thereof against the force of the spring into a deflectedposition.

Each tillage unit supports two coulter disks 76 at the trailing end ofthe trailing arm such that the disks are arranged for tilling engagementwith ground. The disks are rotatably supported on the trailing end ofthe trailing arm for rotation about a substantially horizontal disk axisoriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the arm andparallel to the respective toolbar member.

Due to the trailing configuration of the disks 76 relative to therespective toolbars upon which they are supported, the angularadjustment of the toolbar members relative to the main frame affects thelateral position of the disks 76 relative to the frame while changingthe angular orientation of the disks relative to the forward workingdirection.

In addition to comprising a tubular rigid beam defining each toolbarmember 33, each toolbar assembly further includes a support arm 40 fixedat a central location along the toolbar member 33 to extend generallyrearward and perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of thetoolbar member. The support arm 40 is in turn pivotally coupled by asuitable pivot assembly 42 having a vertical pivot shaft pivotallyretained in fixed location on the main frame. In this manner eachtoolbar member 33 is pivotal relative to the main frame about arespective upright axis of the pivot assembly which is spaced rearwardlyfrom the toolbar member. The toolbar member is pivotal, for examplethrough a range of approximately 15°, in either direction from a neutralposition that is perpendicular to the forward working direction. In theinstance of the rear toolbar assembly on each section of the main frame,the pivot assembly is supported on the rear beam, whereas the pivotassembly of each front toolbar assembly is pivotally supported on theintermediate beam of the respective frame.

Pivotal movement of each toolbar member through the range of angularorientations thereof relative to the forward working direction of themain frame is controlled by a respective linear hydraulic actuator 44associated with each toolbar assembly. Each actuator 44 includes acylinder portion 46 which is pivotally coupled onto the same beam as therespective pivot assembly of the associated toolbar member so as toextend forwardly to a piston portion 48 at the forward end of theactuator which is pivotally coupled to the toolbar at a location offsetlaterally along the toolbar member towards one side of the centrallylocated pivot assembly. In this manner, extension and retraction of theactuator 44 causes the toolbar member to be angularly displaced througha range of angular orientations offset in either direction from theneutral position that is perpendicular to the forward working direction.

Each toolbar member further includes a plurality of support plates 50mounted at longitudinally spaced positions along the bottom side of thetoolbar member. The support plates are welded flat against the bottom ofthe rectangular cross-section of the toolbar member while being widerbetween front and rear edges thereof than the toolbar member so as toprotrude beyond the front and rear sides of the toolbar member. Suitablemounting apertures in each support plate allow use of threaded fastenersfor securing the tillage units to the support plates respectively.

Each toolbar is supported against torsional deflection by providing eachtoolbar assembly with two followers 52 mounted on opposing ends of eachtoolbar member, and two guides 54 mounted on the frame for cooperationwith the two followers respectively. Each follower is supported on thetoolbar by a suitable mounting plate 56 which is welded flat against thetop side of the rectangular beam forming the toolbar member adjacent oneof the respective ends of the toolbar member. Similarly to the supportplates 50, the mounting plates are wider between front and back edgesthan the tubular beam forming the toolbar member so that the mountingplate protrudes beyond the front and rear sides of the toolbar member.

Each follower 52 is formed of flat plate metal having a mounting portion58 with dimensions corresponding approximately to the lateral andlongitudinal dimensions of the corresponding mounting plate 56 and acantilevered portion 60 protruding outward in the longitudinal directionof the beam forming the toolbar member beyond the outer edge of themounting plate 56 towards the corresponding end of the toolbar membertherebelow. Cooperating apertures in the mounting portion 58 of thefollower in the mounting plate 56 permit threaded fasteners at front andrear sides of the toolbar member to rigidly secure the follower in fixedrelation to the toolbar member. The follower defines flat upper andlower follower surfaces 62 and 63 at opposing top and bottom sides ofthe cantilevered portion 60 of the follower. The cantilevered portion issimilarly wider than the beam such that the upper and lower followersurfaces also protrude forwardly and rearwardly beyond the respectivefront and rear sides of the toolbar member. The outer end of thefollower terminates at or adjacent to the corresponding end of thetoolbar member.

Each guide 54 comprises upper and lower plates 64 and 65 formed of flatrigid plate material mounted in a horizontal orientation so as to beparallel and spaced apart from one another to receive the cantileveredportion of a respective one of the followers therebetween. The upper andlower plates of each guide are mounted on a respective side beam of therespective frame section to be additionally supported by end plates 66spanning vertically and perpendicularly to the forward working directionat opposing front and rear ends of the upper and lower plates. The endplates 66 are joined between the upper and lower plates 64 and 65 andspan the full height of the side beam 24 upon which they are supportedto act as gussets providing structural support to the upper and lowerplates.

Inner surfaces of the upper and lower plates 64 and 65 are each linedwith a liner plate 67 formed of a rigid material having a lowcoefficient of friction, for example a hard plastic material such thatthe liner plates define upper and lower guide surfaces 68 and 69 of therespective guide which are flat, continuous, parallel to one another,and spaced apart from one another by an interior dimension correspondingapproximately to the exterior dimension between the upper and lowerfollower surfaces 62 and 63 of the respective follower received therein.

The distance in the forward working direction between the end plates 66defines the range of sliding movement of each follower within therespective guide in the forward working direction so that the end platesfunction as stops which allow a full range of pivotal movement of thetoolbar relative to the main frame as the follower is displaced betweenthe rear end plate and the forward end plate of the respective guidewhile restricting pivotal movement of the toolbar member beyond thepermissible range of angular adjustment relative to the main frame.

By mounting the followers with suitable mounting plate 56 functioning asspacers on the top side of the toolbar members, the resulting followersurfaces and guide surfaces are all supported at a location spaced abovethe top side of the beam forming the respective toolbar member.

A row of apertures 80 is provided within the upper and lower plates 64and 65 of one guide 54 at one end of each toolbar member of each toolbarassembly for cooperation with a corresponding aperture 82 in thecantilevered portion of the follower received within that guide. Theaperture in the follower plate aligns with respective ones of theapertures in the row of apertures 80 in the guide plates at each one ofa plurality of different angular orientations of the toolbar relative tothe main frame. In this manner a suitable retainer pin 84 can beinserted through the aligned and cooperating pair of apertures at eachone of the different angular orientations of the toolbar within therange of angular orientations. The insertion of a retainer pin 84ensures that the toolbar is remain fixed at a selected angularorientation even in the event of a failure of the hydraulics connectedto the actuators 44. Locking the hydraulic actuators hydraulicallyhowever is normally sufficient to retain the toolbar members at aselected angular orientation without relying on pins 84 to fix thetoolbar relative to the main frame in the event that the operator isexpecting to make frequent changes to the angular orientation of thetoolbar relative to the main frame.

All of the actuators 44 are links hydraulically so that the angularorientations of all toolbars move simultaneously and cooperativelyrelative to the main frame.

In order to provide visual feedback to the operator in the towingvehicle of the angular orientation of the toolbar members relative tothe main frame, a suitable gauge assembly is operatively connected toone of the actuators 44 of the implement.

The gauge assembly includes an indicator member 90 in the form of anelongate rigid rod or bar which extends upwardly from the inner end ofthe cylinder portion 46 of the actuator such that the indicator memberis oriented radially and perpendicularly to the linear operating axis ofthe actuator as well as perpendicularly to the forward working directionof the implement. The indicator member 90 cooperates with a gauge panel92 comprising a flat panel of sheet metal material which is mounted at abottom end at the forward end of the piston portion 48 of the actuator.The gauge panel is sloped upwardly and rearwardly over top of the innerend of the cylinder portion supporting the bottom end of the indicatormember 90 thereon. More particularly the gate panel includes an elongateslot 94 formed therein which defines an indicator edge along the fulllength of one side of the slot 94 which lies approximately in a verticalplane of the actuator axis at a 45° upward and rearward slope relativeto the actuator axis.

The length of the indicator edge and of the indicator member aresuitable so that the longitudinal direction of the indicator member 90and the indicator edge of the slot 94 lie in close proximity to oneanother in transverse or intersecting relationship through the fullrange of movement of the actuator between extended and retractedpositions thereof corresponding to the full range of angular adjustmentof the toolbar member relative to the main frame between offsetpositions on either side of the neutral position. Suitable scalemarkings may be provided along either one of the indicator edge of thegate panel 92 or the indicator member 90 such that visually identifyingthe intersection location between the indicator member 90 and theindicator edge along the scale indicates the angular position within theoverall range of angular positions of the toolbar members relative tothe main frame.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein abovedescribed, and many apparently widely different embodiments of samemade, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanyingspecification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in alimiting sense.

1. A tillage implement comprising: a main frame supported for movementacross the ground in a forward working direction; a hitch connected tothe main frame and arranged for connection to a towing vehicle todisplace the main frame in the forward working direction with the towingvehicle; a toolbar member supported on the main frame which is elongatein a longitudinal direction between opposing ends and which is orientedtransversely to the forward working direction; an angular adjustmentmechanism supporting the toolbar member on the main frame such that anangular orientation of the toolbar member relative to the forwardworking direction of the main frame is adjustable; a plurality oftillage units spaced along the toolbar member and having respectivecoulter disks supported thereon for engaging and working the ground, thetillage units being movable with the toolbar member for angularadjustment relative to the main frame; a linear hydraulic actuatoroperatively connected between the toolbar member and the main frame suchthat extension and retraction of a piston portion relative to a cylinderportion of the actuator varies the angular orientation of the toolbarmember relative to the main frame; and a gauge assembly comprising: agauge panel supported on one of the piston portion or the cylinderportion of the actuator, the gauge panel having an indicator edge whichlies in a common upright plane with a linear axis of the actuator at anacute slope relative to the linear axis; and an indicator membersupported on another one of the piston portion or the cylinder portionof the actuator, the indicator member being elongate and being orientedto extend radially outwardly from the linear axis in close proximity tothe indicator edge so as to be in an intersecting relationship with theindicator edge; the gauge panel being positioned such that theintersection of the indicator edge varies in location along theindicator member as the actuator is extended and retracted.
 2. Thetillage implement according to claim 1 wherein the indicator member isvertically oriented.
 3. The tillage implement according to claim 1wherein the indicator edge is sloped upward and rearwardly at aninclination between 30 and 60 degrees.
 4. The tillage implementaccording to claim 1 wherein the indicator edge comprising one boundaryedge of an elongate slot formed in the gauge panel.